Hesse-Darmstadt 1704-IAR 2 ducats
This specimen was lot 317 in UBS sale 85 (Zürich, September 2010), where it sold for 3200 CHF (about US$3,650 including buyer's fee). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND, Hessen-Darmstadt, Landgrafschaft, ab 1806 Grossherzogtum, Ernst Ludwig, 1678-1739. Doppeldukat 1704. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach rechts. Rv. Fünffach behelmtes Wappen, unten zu den Seiten die geteilte Jahreszahl. Lt. gew. Sehr schön." (Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ernest Louis, 1678-1739, two ducats of 1704. Armored bust facing right; reverse: quintuple-helmeted arms, date below. Very Fine)
Despite being worn and rather wrinkled, this specimen is from a very rare type. Other dates of double ducats are known, all are rare. The landgrave was promoted to Grand Duke in 1806 by Napoleon.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 6,90 g.
Catalog reference: Schütz 2842. Fr-1199, KM 109.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]UBS Auction 85: Gold and Silver Coins, Zürich: UBS AG, 2010.
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